Music of tragic and talented Shrewsbury man to be played in public for the first time

A song written, performed and recorded by Ben Bebbington has been reworked by Shrewsbury singer/songwriter Paul Henshaw, and will be performed as a duet between Ben and Paul as part of this year's Big Busk music festival, which was set up in Ben's memory.

And in another first, Paul and his band, the Scientific Simpletons, will also perform on the roof of the iconic St Chad's Church during the two-day festival, which is being held over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Ben, a well-known figure around Shrewsbury, died after an unprovoked attack by two men in September 2012.

As an act of remembrance, his family organised the first Big Busk, which took place in Shrewsbury town centre on 6 April 2013 – what would have been Ben's 44th birthday. The event raises money for, and awareness of, Shrewsbury Ark, a centre for homeless and vulnerable people in Shrewsbury which meant a lot to Ben.

Now, in the event's third year, the man who inspired it will take centre stage.

The idea came about during conversations between Paul and Ben's sister Annie Hambley.

Paul said: "We performed at the Busk last year and have since become really good friends with Annie and her now husband Mark. We recorded a version of Mr Blue Sky, which they had as the first dance at their wedding, because we couldn't actually be there on the day.

"A couple of months ago Annie mentioned the song and asked if I would do it, and I was only too pleased to say yes.

"It is incredibly humbling for me to be asked. I really only knew Ben through small conversations we had with each other when he was out buskin, but I have no doubt that if he was still with us at some point we would have done something together. Now, this is my chance to perform with him.

"I am incredibly honoured that Annie asked me."

To make the performance a reality Paul and his wife Nikki, who is a member of the band, have taken the original recording of the song, called Alone in the Crowd, and worked on it in the recording studio. The work has been done at Backyard Studios in Churchstoke, who have given the studio time for free. Ben's sister, Annie, said she was looking forward to hearing the new version of her brother's song.

She said: "It's been over two years now since we lost Ben and as anyone knows when you are parted from someone all you want to do is keep that persons spirit alive, because it's too hard to accept they have gone.

"Our brother, no matter what he faced in life, believed in people. He was full of optimism, passion and hope and above all he believed in music.

"When I was going through his notebook I found a quote: 'Keep them laughing, make them laugh, make them smile, make them gig a while'. That was his philosophy, as simple as it is.

"That's all he ever wanted, which is why on a Friday and Saturday night he would be out busking with his guitar to try and make people smile and share something that is only found in music.

"My sister Karen and I will forever be in awe by the love, kindness and compassion from people that were once strangers that now have become a part of a family that means the world to us and that have kept that music alive.

"With the Big Busk and Ben's birthday falling over Easter, which symbolises the start of spring, new life and healing, it seemed like the right time to let his voice and music be heard.

"When I first met Paul at last year's Big Busk, there was something that instantly made me think of Ben and the simple passion and love he had. Over the last year, Paul has become like another brother to me and I know that Ben would be so very happy and proud to at last sing with him."

The last time that Alone in the Crowd was played was at Ben's funeral in St Chad's in December 2012.

Annie said: "This time, Ben will be joined by our very own 'Mr Blue Sky' in Paul, his Big Busk family, friends and all the wonderful people that have made sure that happy days will always live on – and never again will he be alone in a crowd."

In another first for the Big Busk, Paul and his band will perform on the roof of St Chad's Church on the second day of the festival – Easter Sunday.

A rock band has never played on the iconic circular roof before.

Paul said: "I believe Father Mark, the vicar, wanted U2, but they weren't available, so we've stepped in.

"We were asked if we wanted to do it and it's an amazing opportunity, so there is no way we were going to say no. We've done some crazy stunts – a few years ago we played four countries in one day for the charity Busking Cancer – but we have never played on a roof before.

"The fact that we can do something like this for a group of people who mean a lot to us and for such a good cause which is all based around music and keeping Ben's memory alive is fantastic.

"We feel very lucky to have been the ones asked to do this, and we can't wait to perform up there."

Father Mark Chadwick, the Vicar of St Chad's said he was delighted to turn the church over to the Big Busk following the traditional Easter service on the Sunday.

He said: "St Chad's has a very strong relationship with Shrewsbury Ark and as Easter is a festival of new life and renewal, it seemed appropriate to support an event which brings life into the town and which goes to help people who might

be finding life difficult.

"I'm very much looking forward to seeing the band on the roof, it should be fantastic. The choir has performed on the roof before, but we've never had a rock band up there. With the Quarry as the backdrop, it should be pretty spectacular."

The Big Busk will take place over the Saturday and Sunday of the Easter weekend.

During Saturday daytime musicians of all kinds, including guitarists, choirs, massed ukulele players and Japanese Taiko drums, will perform in the streets and shopping arcades around Shrewsbury town centre. During the evening there will be live performances in several of the town's pubs.

On Sunday events will be centred around St Chad's. As well as musicians playing inside and outside – and on top of! – the church, there will also be family entertainment including the chance to make instruments from scrap with Whack It!

Smack It!, chocolate lolly making and face-painting.

There will also be the first Shrewsbury Giant Easter Egg Hunt, organised by Julia Wenlock of Toot Sweets, which will take place around Shrewsbury's historic streets.

For more information on the Big Busk go to www.thebigbusk.co.uk